Car-coupling



(No Model.)

J. 0. CLAY 81: M. SAFFORD.

GAB. GOUPLING.

N0.306,.720. Y Patented Oct. 21,1884.

WITNESSES: IN VENTOES ATTORNEY UNTTED STATES P TENT FFTQEO .T. COLBY CLAY AND MATTHIAS SAFFQRD, OF OTEGO, NEVADA.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 306,720, dated October 21, 1884.

Application tiled June 21 1884.

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, J. O. CLAY and MAT- THIAS SAFFORD, citizens of the United States, residing at Otego, in the county of Elko and State of Nevada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-Couplings, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improvement in ear-couplings of that class commonly called self-acting or automatic couplings, as they engage with each other and connect two cars whenever they are brought together with out any manipulation of links or pins by the train-men, the object being to not only furnish a strong and cheap coupling that may be readilyapplied to the cars now in use, but

one that by its automatic action relieves the men employed in making up trains from the danger they now incur in the use of the c0mmon link and pin, which compels them to stand upon the track between the cars at the time of making the connection.

The invention consists, essentially, in the combination, with the draw-head, of a link open at one end to embrace the draw-head, and connected therewith by a bolt passing through both and allowing the link'to swing freely, the free end of the link being brought to a sharp edge horizontally, and provided with a downwardly-projecting catch which engages with the link of an adjacent car when the two cars are brought together, and certain appliances for disconnecting the links when it is desiredto uneouple the cars, and devices for preventing the links from dropping when disengaged, all as will be hercinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is No model.)

vided with the attachments common to all, and B is the coupling-link of V shape, its open end embracing the drawbar, and connected therewith by the belt, a, which passes hori link to which it is attached be ever so little 6 the highest at then'ionientthe cars are brought together.

It will be apparent that the construction of the links prevents the possibility of two cars coming together without coupling when the 0 links are left free, as the slightest difference in the height of their forward ends would cause the highest to pass over the other, when the catch b, falling inside the closed end of the link upon the adjacent car, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, engages therewith, thus connecting the two cars by a strong and serviceable coupling. A supporting-bar, O, is attached to the car and prevents the links from drop ping too low. this supporting-bar with the car, are preferably provided with adjusting-nuts, by which its position with relation to the car may be varied to suit the level upon which it is desired to hold the'link. side of the link is a rod or chain, d, the upper end of which is secured to the short end of a lever, D, pivoted upon the car, and having its long arm extending outward to a position where it may be readilyreachcd by a man 0 standing beside the track. 13y depressing the outer end of this lever the link to which it is connected is raised, thus releasing its catch from the link of the next car. The construction of these releasing devices may be greatly 5 of the car and its operating-lever placed there, 100

so that it might be operated by a train-man from the top of the car; or this arrangement This 60 The bolts 0 c, which connect Attached to the upper position.

and the leyer l) at the side of the car may he applied to a single vertieal rod, so as to allow the link to be operated by a lever from either Other devices may also be used instead of a lever for operating the linlcas a l chain winding upon a suitably-placed shalt, like a brake-chain and its operating-shalt.

1*) represents a spring-butter, which may he pl aeed, as represented, above the draw-bar; o r, 1 if two are used, one may be placed upon each side of the drmr-bar, both are of applying them being in use, as well as forming a hatter ot' the draw-bar by connecting it with suitable Springs. \Ye therefore make no claim to the buffer construction, as shown, or its comhination with the couplingappliances.

Having thus described. our invention, we claim as new, and desire to Secure by Letters Patent 01' the l'nited States, the lollowing l 'W ILLLUI (Joxenn, W. :ll. livernnsox. 

